Composer • Arranger

Composer Notes:

This is another piece that had its beginnings as a vocal arrangement. I had intended for it to be sung by The Niskas, (the vocal trio consisting of me, my brother and his wife) but it didn’t find its way into our repertoire, so I adapted it for piano solo. From a technique standpoint, it requires a good pedal technique to create the proper ethereal aura without becoming too blurred. The right hand also must remain light, yet bring out the melody.

From the the very first notes of this piece I tried to capture the feeling of shepherds watching over their sheep on a night filled with stars and wonder. There is a pastoral quality to the introduction that continues on through the first statement of the melody. I have taken some rhythmic liberties from the traditional melody to give it a greater sense of freedom and space, as though being sung among the hills and valleys where they tended to their flock. The chorus is quite expanded to reflect the vastness of the night sky and filled with rich and unexpected harmonies. 

The second verse makes use of triplets in the right hand against eighth notes in the left to represent the shimmering stars overhead. As the shepherds gaze in awe at the star in the East, the wise men come into view and begin their procession to Bethlehem. With the final statement of the chorus, the right hand plays sextuplets over the quarter note chords. This is to represent the winds blowing gently across the desert sands and the stately pace of those assembled as they all go together into the city to see that which was promised.

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​Purchase Sheet Music:

https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/the-first-nol-digital-sheet-music/22374195

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https://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/en-US/se/ID_No/1221653/Product.aspx

 

Digital Download / Streaming:

https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0BHNGQWBL

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https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-first-noel-single/1649000391

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